Sprinkler head



Sept. 3, 1940. R LOWE 2,213,527

SPRINKLER HEAD Filed May 7, 1938 INVENTOR. ERNEST 9.10 we A ORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES 2,213,527 I SPRINKLER HEADA' Ernest A. Lowe, Fanwoo Airelease Corporation, poration of Delaware d, N. J., assignor to The Jersey City, N. .L, a cor- This invention relates to automatic sprinkler systems or apparatus and more particularly to the specific construction of the sprinkler heads which are adapted to receive and discharge a fire extinguishing medium, such as water, to a re. h lckp o r: r,

The principal object of the invention is the production of an automatic and quick-acting sprinkler head so constructed as to function with ease and expedition when necessity arises.

A further object of the invention is the production of a sprinkler head which shall be constructed of few parts, easily replaceable, and which may be set up into operative position with ease and. facility.

The sprinkler head constructed according to the present invention is one susceptible to a sudden rate-of-rise of temperature, such as that occasioned by a fire, in contradistinction to a sprinkler head adapted to operate when a predetermined degree of temperature has been reached. The. device of the invention is described with reference to a so-called wet pipe system, that is, one in which a conventional riser pipe and distributing or branch pipes connected therewith are normally filled with water or other Ifire extinguishing medium, although the sprinkler head may also be used in conjunction with .dry pipe systems in which the riser and branch pipes; are normally empty or filled with compressed air. I Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent as the description thereof proceeds, the invention consisting in the novel and improved sprinkler head and parts thereof hereinafter more particularly described and then specified in the claims.

Inthe accompanying drawing illustrating a practical embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary portion of an auto-'- matic sprinkler system. showing the sprinkler .heads of the invention connected to one or more distributing or branch pipes. L Fig- 2 isa horizontal section taken through .one of'the sprinkler heads.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the interior mechanism of the sprinkler head. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a portion of the mechanism ofthe sprinkler head.

Referring to the accompanying drawing:

The reference numeral l indicates a riser connected to a source of extinguishing fiuid, such as water, and which is provided with a conventional and usual control valve (not shown) of any desired type. Other details of the system are also omitted as tey are now well known and old in the art and therefore require. no explanation. Leading from and connectedto the riser l0 are branch pipes it which receive water from the riser l0, said riser and b-rancl rpipes being normally filled with water or other extinguishing medium for discharge from the-sprinkler heads which are indicated generally at Il -and. which are connected by pipes or any other suitable means to the distributing pipes ll atspaced intervals thereon. The brief description of the system to which the improved sprinlL -er; heads are applied is thought to be sufiicient for ageneral understanding of the applicationof the sprinkler head of the invention and the manner in which it functions; 1

Referring now to Figs. 2 to :4 inclusivedescribing the. specific construction of thesprinkler head:., 1 v The body of the sprinkler head is indicated at vr oFl-ca" I I3 and it is provided withadownwardlydepending screw-threaded shank l4 preferably-integral therewith adapted to be screwed directly to the branch or distributing pipesll ontoconneciiions fastened to said distributing' pipes.

distributing pipesj'for head is indicated at through said shank mates in an outlet discharge by the sprinkler l5 and extends vertically L4 and-body l3 and termiclosed by a cap or closure [1 provided withfla depression. I 8 preferably centrally thereof The upper'portion of the sprinkler head comprises a chamber, preferably v-metallicin character, and provided with a base -l-9 having. an opening therein and a somewhat dome-shaped head 2-! whose lower; edge ispreferably outwardly turned to form an annular flange interlocked with a corresponding flange on the edge of the base IS. A flexible dia zrhragmv 22 isqpo s itioned beneath said base l9 and the edge thereof is anchored between said base and the annular flange 23 of a supporting me her 24 which is provided with a central opening alignment with the opening 20. The head 2| is connected to the body 13 in spaced relation thereto by upwardly and outwardly flaringiarms or supports 26 and the interior mechanismis preferably protected said shield is serrated or provided with openings A water passageway for receiving water fronrthe" it of. somewhat'reduced. diameter, as illustrated, whichoutlet is normally from dust and exposure by an annular shield-or cover 21, the lower flanged 28 to permit the discharge of water from the sprinkler head in a plurality of streams.

A spring-like co-operating detent member comprising a flat spring metallic strip of the configuration illustrated is indicated at 29 and has the supporting member 24 of the metal of member 29 if so desired. g ,7 The supporting arms of a strut support or frame are indicated at 32 and they are secured to the body I 3 in any desired manner. Said strut with a deflector head 33, the

with a screw-threaded opening central-lythereof receiving a screw-threaded plug or nut 34 having a depression 35 in the lower side'thereof.

' 'A detent roller is indicated at 36. Its ends are mally engaging co -operating detent member 29, all as more clearly shown and the recess thereof receives'the flanged end of a strut member 4| provided with a depression 42 and an upper forked end 43, the arms of which normally engage the rounded or high side mechanism, 26. The action of the spring tends to rotate the roller in a counter-clockwise direction, the extent' or degree of rotation being limited by stop 45 carried by said roller and adapted" to engage the support 24.

A second shouldered strut member of the con.- figuration illustrated is indicated at 46 and has its lower laterally-extended or flanged end ennut or plug 34.. The shouldered portion of said strut 46 is received by the upper end of a strut member 41 and its lower end engages within the depression l8 of the cap l1.

When the mechanism of the sprinkler head described is in set or operastrut members of plug 34 within the head 33. operative position, 4| engage againstthe high or rounded portion of roller 36.

7 Upon the occurrence of a fire occasioning a sudden rate of-rise When in such wardly by head 33 and and at the same time water is discharged outthe fork members 43 of strut of roller 36 and permit them to slide through the recessed portions of said roller.

Inasmuch as strut member 4| is then no longer supported, the entire strut mechanism com prising struts 4|, 46 and 41 collapses and the is automatically removed from rush of water or other fluid from distributingpipe through opening l5 and. discharge opening l6. A part of said stream of water strikes against and is deflected downthrough openings 41' wardlythrough the serrated openings 28 in the shield 21. I preferably provide the base l9 of chamber 2| with a breather 41'' having an orifice 48 communicating with the chamber 2| and .the outside atmosphere and acting to equalize the pressure on the upper and lower faces of the diaphragm 22. This compensates for any normal rise in temperature due to weather or other conditions occasioning a gradual increase in air pressure in the chamber 2|. The orifice 48, however, is not large enough to accommodate the release of an abnormal expansion of air in chamber 2| due to a sudden rate-of-rise of temperature and such expanded air must therefore find an outlet through the opening 20, flex the diaphragm 2| and actuate the sprinkler head mechanism in the manner just described.

, rate-of-rise of chamber 2|, the spring 44 is instantaneously brought into action to release theinter-connecting parts and permit the mechanism to readily function in its intended and described manne r The invention claimed is:

1. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a cap normallyclosing said opening, a chamber connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm associated with said chamber in proximity to the opening in said 'wall, inter-engaging strut members normally holding said cap in position to close the outlet opening in said body, a springactuateddetent normally holding said strut members in set position and means connecting said diaphragm and detent, said means being movable by the expansion of air in said chamber-to release saiddetent and effect a collapse of said strut'members and the consequent automatic removal of said cap from the outlet opening. 7 v 2. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a cap nor mally closing said opening, a chamber connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm susceptible of movement from the pressure of air flowing from said chamber and through its opening upon a suddenrate-of-rise of temperature, a spring element having a connection with said diaphragm and movable therewith, a spring-controlled detent engaging said spring element and means engaging said detent and connected to said cap and adapted tobe disconnected therefrom to permit .the automatic removal of said cap from said outlet opening when said spring element is disengaged from said detent by an increase of air pressure in said chamber. v 3. An automatic sprinkler head comprising-a body provided with an outlet opening, a cap normally closing said opening, an air chamber connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm susceptible of movement from the pressure of air flowing from said chamber and through its opening upon a sudden rate-of-rise of temperature, a spring-element having one end anchored and the other end free, a spring-controlled rotatable detent normally engaging the free end of said spring element and collapsible means engaging said detent and said cap and adapted to be collapsed to automatically remove said cap from the outlet open ing upon the disengagement of said spring element with said detent and upon rotation of said detent.

4. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a cap normally closing said open'ng, an air chamber connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm susceptible of movement from the pressure of air flowing from said chamber and through its opening upon a sudden rate-of-rise of temperature, a spring element movable with said diaphragm, a springcontrolled rotatable detent having a high and low side and engaging said spring element and collapsible means normally engaging the high side of said detent and connected to said cap and adapted to be collapsed to permit of the automatic removal of said cap from said outlet opening upon the disengagement of said spring element with said detent and the engagement of said collapsible means with the low side of said detent.

5. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a cap normally closing said opening, an air chamber connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm susceptible of movement from the pressure of air flowing from said chamber and through its opening upon a sudden rate-of-rise of temperature, a spring element movable with said diaphragm and having one end an'chored and the other end free, a spring controlled rotatable detent comprising a roller having a flattened portion, said roller engaging the free end of said spring element, collapsible means engaging said roller and said cap and adapted to be collapsed to permit of the automatic removal of said cap from said outlet opening upon the disengagement of the free end of said spring element with said roller and the engagement of said collapsible means with the flattened portion of said roller and means to limit the degree of rotation of said roller.

6. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a removable cap closing said opening, an air chamber spaced from and connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm associated with said air chamber and adapted to be distended by the expansion of air flowing through said opening into contact with said diaphragm upon an abnormal rate-of-rise of temperature, a spring strip movable with said diaphragm, a spring-actuated detent engaging said strip, collapsible means connecting said detent and said cap and adapted to be collapsed to permit of the automatic removal of said cap when said spring strip becomes disengaged from said detent, a stationary frame or strut support supporting said collapsible means and means carried by said support for holding said collapsible means in set position.

'7. An automatic sprinkler head comprising a body provided with an outlet opening, a removable cap closing said opening, spaced from and connected to said body and having an opening in a wall thereof, a flexible diaphragm associated with said air chamber and adapted to be distended by the expansion of air flowing through said opening into contact with said diaphragm upon an abnormal rate-of-rise of temperature, a spring strip movable with said diaphragm, a spring-actuated detent engaging said strip, a series of inter-engaging strut members constituting a collapsible mechanism connecting said detent and said cap and adapted to be collapsed to permit of the automatic removal of said cap from the outlet opening when said spring strip becomes disengaged from said detent, a stationary frame or support, a head thereon supporting said collapsible mechanism and an adjustable plug carried by said head for holding said collapsible mechanism in set position.

ERNEST A. LOWE.

an air chamber 

